Hand and arm protective sleeve

ABSTRACT

A protective device for a user&#39;s hand and arm region while operating a hand tool, the device including a rigid protective shield ( 1 ) adapted to substantially cover the user&#39;s hand and forearm, in which the shield incorporates a hand tool mount ( 4 ) adapted to mount the hand tool ( 5 ) in a manner allowing the user to operate the tool while confined to and protected by the shield.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Provisional PatentApplication No. 2004902159 filed on 23 Apr. 2004, the content of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the use of manual hand tools, particularlygarden tools, where the operator may be exposed to environmental hazardsin the close environment of the tool.

In particular this invention relates to a protective device adapted foruse with a range of hand operated tools so as to provide the user withprotection to the hand and arm region whilst operating a range of tools.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A wide range of manually operated hand tools, particularly the type oftools used in gardening and agriculture expose the users hand and armregion to a range of hazards including thorns, prickles, barbs, plantirritants and similar hazards. A typical gardeners tool might be a pairof secateurs which provide the user with minimal protection to the handand arm regions as the secateurs are used to prune and cut a range ofplant products. Similarly garden shears, brooms, pruning saws, rakes,shovels, etc similarly have the potential to expose the users hand andarm to hazardous situations and it would be highly desirable if theusers hand could be provided with a form of protection that wouldminimise or eliminate the potential for damage to the hand and armwhilst allowing the hand tool of choice to be operated with minimalinterference.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides a protective device for a usershand and arm region whilst operating a hand tool, said device comprisinga rigid protective shield adapted to substantially cover the users handand lower forearm, wherein said shield incorporates a hand tool mountingmeans adapted to mount said hand tool in a manner allowing said user tooperate said tool whilst confined to said shield.

The shield may extend to cover and enclose the hand, wrist and forearmof the user.

The tool mount is preferably fitted to said shield as an accessory andadapted for interchange to suit a range of hand tools.

The tool mount may incorporate a trigger to allow remote control andactivation of said hand tool.

The tool mount may be adapted to incorporate said tool within theconfines of the shield wherein said shield has an opening for the activepart of said tool to project from said shield in order to perform itsnormal function.

The tool mount may be adapted to receive a pair of secateurs wherein onehandle of said secateurs may be fitted to the inwardly projecting toolmount and the cutting jaws of said secateurs project from said shieldvia a slot.

The shield may be formed of a rigid material adapted to resist piercingor chemical attack.

The shield may be formed of compliant and flexible material allowingwrist movement of the user.

The tool mount may include an inwardly projecting or internal handleadapted to be grasped by the user from within the shield and an externalholder for said tool.

The tool holder may be adapted to receive a tool handle includingelongate handles for rakes, shovels, etc. The tool holder may bepositioned on the underside, upperside or front of said shield.

The tool mount may include an internal handle and an external mount fora tray or other collecting means.

The shield may include ventilation means.

The tool mount may include an internal trigger to operate an externallymounted tool. The externally mounted tool may be a pair of shears,grasping jaws, seed collector, etc.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers orsteps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, orgroup of elements, integers or steps.

The invention will now be described with referenced to the followingfigures and Legend which show a selection of particularly preferredembodiments and are not to be regarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 Shows a version of the protective shield in top, side and bottomviews. The shield is fitted with an internal tool mount.

FIG. 2 Shows a longitudinal compressible version of the protectiveshield in top, side, bottom and end views.

FIG. 3 Shows the shield fitted with an external tool mount.

FIG. 4 Shows the shield fitted with a collecting tray.

FIG. 5 Shows the shield fitted with a garden rake or similar tool.

FIG. 6, 6 a & 6 b Shows the shield fitted with shears or long reachgripper.

FIG. 7 Shows the shield fitted with an extension pole and seedcollector.

FIGS. 8 & 9 Shows the shield fitted with a prickly bush stripper.

FIG. 10 Shows the shield with a pod, nut and seed stripper.

FIGS. 11 & 12 Shows the shield fitted with an internal pistol grip.

FIG. 13 Shows the shield incorporating a rigid lifting hook.

FIG. 14 Shows the shield incorporating a swivel hook.

FIG. 15 Shows the shield incorporating a lifting device and tool holder.

FIG. 16 Shows a pallet or box lifting device.

FIG. 17 Shows the shield incorporating a pruning saw.

FIG. 18 Shows the shield incorporating a hand saw.

FIG. 19 Shows the shield applied to a general applicator or tool head.

FIGS. 20 & 21 Shows the shield incorporating a tool holder handle.

FIGS. 22 & 23 Shows the shield incorporating a front end tool holder anda section of tools.

LEGEND

1. Shield

2. Open end

3. Terminal end

4. Mounting means

5. Tool

6. First arm

6 a. Second arm

7. First opening

8. Second opening

9. Cutting blades

10. Telescopic corrugations

11. Nose

12. Inward projecting handle

13. External tool holder

14. Clamp

15. Protective face

16. Insertion peg

17. Seed collecting tray

18. Garden rake

19. Handle

20. Toggle

21. Pivoting head

22. Shears/Gripping means

23. Remote trigger

24. Extended nose

25. Seed collector

26. Extension arm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

Referring firstly to FIG. 1 the invention provides a protective deviceadapted for wearing by the user of a manual tool where the devicecomprises a protective shield 1 in the form of a hollow andsubstantially enclosed sleeve shaped, configured and dimensioned toallow a user to insert their hand through an open end 2 to theprotective shield and form a fist at the terminal end 3 thereof. Theshield incorporates a hand tool mounting means 4 positioned at or nearthe terminal end in such a manner as to allow the user to grasp a tool 5mounted therein for operation in the usual manner. A particular tool ofinterest may be a pair of secateurs where a first arm of the secateurs 6can be inserted in the mounting means 4 such that the second arm 6 aremains available for clasping by the users hand and operation in theusual manner. The protective shield is provided with a first opening 7on the underside thereof which is adapted to receive the mounting meansand can receive any one of a selection of mounting means particularlyadapted for use with a variety of hand tools. The protective shield isprovided with a second opening 8 on the uppermost side. The secondopening takes the form of elongate slot and is particularly adapted toallow projection of the cutting blades 9 of the secateurs. The secondopening can take whatever form is appropriate for the particular handtool selected for use and is not limited to the particularly preferredembodiment of secateurs.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the protective shield 1 may be provided as atelescopic unit having a plurality of corrugations 10 extending at leastalong the wrist region of the shield. The shield terminates at theterminal end 3 with a round or other shaped nose 11 which is adapted forease of penetration into shrubbery, twigs and other compact vegetativesituations. In this manner the telescopic region of the shield allowsadditional versatility and flexibility for the users wrist to maximisemanual dexterity not withstanding the user wearing the protective shieldof the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 3 a further adaptation of the invention is shownwhere the tool mounting means 4 takes the form of an external toolholder having an inwardly projecting handle 12 and which is adapted tobe inserted into the underside or first opening 7 such that the inwardlyprojecting handle 12 is positioned within the confines of the terminalend 3 of the shield whilst the tool mount means 4 is positioned externalto the shield. In this form, the tool mount acts as an external toolholder 13 and can include a suitable clamp 14 and may incorporate aprotective face 15 to provide additional protection to the round nose 11of the protective shield. The mounting means in this configuration canbe inserted through the underside or first opening 7 and secured to theprotective shield by way of an insertion peg 16 which can be fastenedthrough the upperside or second opening 8 of the shield. This particularadaptation of the tool mounting means can be utilised by long handledtools, for example garden rakes, shovels, etc which can be fitted to theexternal clamp 14 and manipulated by the user with their hand insertedinto the protective shield and grasping the inwardly projecting handle.In this manner garden rakes, shovels, etc can be thrust into otherwisehazardous environments and provide full protection for the users handwhilst maintaining maximum manual dexterity and control by the user ofthe selected tool.

Referring now to FIG. 4 an alternative type of tool is shown fitted tothe shield which takes the form of a seed collecting tray 17 which isadapted for fitting to the tool mounting means which in this case hasthe external holder 13 positioned on the upperside and adapted toreceive a tray or other collecting means 17 which is accordinglypositioned on the upperside of the shield 1. The mounting means againhas an inwardly projecting handle 12 which allows the operator to fullycontrol the collecting tray from within the confines and protection ofthe shield 1. In this manner the tray can be thrust or placed deepwithin the hazardous environment of a thorny or prickly bush therebyallowing much greater control and collection efficiency from such anenvironment.

Referring now to FIG. 5 the tool mount 4 this time takes the form of anexternal holder 13 in a manner similar to that detailed with referenceto FIG. 3. The particular tool of interest may be a garden rake 18 whichhas an elongate square or other shaped handle 19. The external holder 13can be adapted to receive such a handle configuration and is providedwith a tightening toggle 20 allowing the user to adjust the position ofthe rake from the shield 1. The rake may be provided with a pivotinghead 21 so as to allow the user the option of operating dual rakes witheither hand utilising two shields. In this manner a modified rake cancompensate for the slight limitation to manual dexterity imposed by theshield and thereby provide the user with comprehensive and virtuallyunhindered use of such a tool whilst being comprehensively protectedfrom the environment.

Referring now to FIG. 6 another embodiment of the invention is shownwhere the tool mount takes the form of an external holder 13 which ispositioned in a forward pointing direction over the terminal end 3 ofthe shield. In this manner a tool such as the shears or gripping means22 can be suitably positioned at the forward end of the shield which isthe correct orientation of such a hand tool relative to the position ofthe users hand. The tool mount may incorporate a remote trigger 23allowing the user access and comprehensive operation of the tool fromwithin the confines of the shield 1. The shield may incorporate anoptional extended nose region 24 so as to allow such a tool extra reachand provide remote operation and maintain protection of the users handduring use. Such a tool would provide deep penetration into potentiallyhazardous environments and allow use and adaptation for such a tool in amanner not previously or otherwise available.

Referring now to FIG. 7 another form of remote tool, for example a seedcollector 25 can be used with the invention by way of an extension arm26 which can be connected to the shield 1.

FIGS. 8 to 21 show variations on the invention which illustrate thescope of adaptation.

The shield may also be provided with a ventilation means to ensure theusers hand receives adequate ventilation and does not become stinky orclammy.

The invention provides for the first time an economical and highlyversatile shield for use in gardening and other hazardous situationswhich is adapted to protect a users hand and forearm regions whilstmaintaining operation of a range of hand tools by way of a selection ofmounts for such tools incorporated within the construction of theshield. The shield can take the form of a rigid or flexible unit and bemade of suitable materials which resist penetration of spikes, barbs,abrasion and hazardous chemicals or other compounds that may otherwisebe exposed to a users hand. The shield is adapted to receive a widerange of hand tools including secateurs, trowels, forks, rakes, shovelsand virtually any hand operated tool that is capable of being suitablymounted and operated remotely by way of a suitable adaptation of themounting means. The protective shield of the invention is thereforeopened to wide use adaptation in a broad range of situations not limitedto the particularly preferred embodiments concentrating on gardeningimplements and tools. The protective shield of the invention couldextend to a range of metal or woodworking situations and with suitabledesign configurations also apply to a range of industrial situationsincluding chemical and other hazardous environments.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerousvariations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown inthe specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are,therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive.

1. A protective device for a user's hand and arm region while operatinga hand tool, said device comprising a rigid protective shield adapted tosubstantially cover a user's hand and forearm, said shield including ahand tool mount adapted to mount a hand tool in a manner allowing saiduser to operate said tool while confined to and protected by saidshield.
 2. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein saidprotective shield extends to substantially cover and enclose hand, wristand forearm regions of said user.
 3. A protective device according toclaim 1, wherein said tool mount is fitted to said shield as anaccessory and is interchangeable with other hand tool mounts to suit arange of hand tools.
 4. A protective device according to claim 1,wherein said tool mount includes a trigger to allow remote control andactivation of said hand tool.
 5. A protective device according to claim1, wherein said tool mount is adapted to incorporate said tool withinconfines of said shield and wherein said shield has an opening for anactive part of said tool to project from said shield.
 6. A protectivedevice according to claim 5, wherein said tool mount is inwardlyprojecting and adapted to receive a pair of secateurs fitted theretowith cutting jaws of said secateurs projecting from said shield via saidopening.
 7. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein saidshield is formed of a rigid material resistant to piercing and chemicalattack.
 8. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said shieldis telescopic.
 9. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein saidmount includes an internal handle and an external holder for said tool.10. A protective device according to claim 1, wherein said tool holderis adapted to receive a tool positioned on one of the following of saidshield: an underside, an upperside, and a front.
 11. A protective deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said tool mount includes an internaltrigger adapted to operate an externally mounted tool.
 12. A protectivedevice according to claim 1 wherein said shield includes a ventilationarrangement.
 13. (canceled)